Combination of Episulfide Ring‐Opening Polymerization With ATRP for the Preparation of Amphiphilic Block Copolymers

• DOI: 10.1002/marc.201200636
• Publication Date: 2013-01-14T13:33:16Z
• Authors: Cong‐Duan Vo; Christopher J. Ca...; Roberto Donno; Jeroen A. C. M. Goos; Nicola Tirelli
• Keywords: Polysulfide; Dispersity; Degree of polymerization

Abstract We report for the first time combination of ATRP and ring‐opening episulfide polymerization as a means to synthesize polysulfide‐based low‐dispersity amphiphilic block copolymers. The most significant finding is possibility perform under mild conditions using poly(propylene sulfide) macroinitiators, apparently without any copper sequestration by polysulfides. Using glycerol monomethacrylate (GMMA) hydrophilic monomer, polymers self‐assembled in colloidal structures with morphology depending on PS/GMMA ratio, but also probably GMMA degree polymerization. here present new AFM‐based method calculate average number macromolecules per micelle.